INTERNATIONAL PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE FILM FESTIVAL Opens Today

THE SECOND ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE FILM FESTIVAL commences today, November 16th! Opening Night will take place at The Mount Senai Medical Center (Leo C. Stern Theater), at 6pm. Members of the Puerto Rican community and film industry will gather together in El Barrio to attend the second annual film festival. Opening remarks will be given by a keynote speaker and the antiquated film, CORREA COTTO: ASI ME LLAMAN will be shown. The evenings program will be the kick-off to this weekend's festivities.

CORREA COTTO: ASI ME LLAMAN is the opening night feature (narrative). The film captures the popular impact that Correa Cotto's crimes had on the Puerto Rican society of the 1950s. Coto became the first outlaw to gain legendary status in Puerto Rico. Antonio Correa Cotto was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He started his criminal career as a child and by the time he was a teenager he had amassed a long criminal police record. He committed two murders in Ponce and was sentenced to serve two life sentences in the state penitentiary. At the time of his sentencing, Correa Cotto swore that he would get even with those who testified against him and whom he claimed were responsible for his current situation. On October 28, 1950, Correa Cotto instigated a prison revolt where some of the prison guards lost their lives. Arming himself with guns and ammunition he was able to escape. Correa Cotto made his way to a sector of Ponce called "Villa Olga" where he murdered 10 people.. The authorities organized what was then the largest manhunt in the history of the island and placed a US$10,000 bounty on his head, either dead or alive, which was a first in the crime annals of Puerto Rico.

The 2012 IPRHFF will showcase pioneering, historically significant films and documentaries, contemporary shorts and features, and other innovative film. Every film will either focus on Puerto Rico and its people or will have personnel of Puerto Rican descent in key roles (production and/or acting).Panel discussions throughout the day will explore film industry related topics, scrutinize the challenges and potential for young Latino filmmakers, and consider the context of Puerto Ricans in the cinema today. Finally, receptions and after-parties throughout the weekend will give participants an opportunity to celebrate their Heritage and network with other industry professionals. For more information please visit www.iprhff.com.